Iranian Olympic team lines up friendlies

AFC - The Iranian Olympic team will play two friendlies in November in preparation for the Doha Asian Games.

Iran, who are the two-time defending champions, clash with their Chinese counterparts on November 8 before meeting UAE on November 14.

Iran have been drawn in the easy Group D with India, Hong Kong and Maldives for the Asiad while for the Olympic qualifying they are in a tough Group D with Saudi Arabia, and the winners of the preliminary round matches between Jordan-Kyrgyzstan and Australia-Chinese Taipei.

“Iranian youth need more experience and the number of friendlies we play will increase our chances of success,” said the team’s Brazilian coach Rene Simoez, adding that another friendly against Saudi Arabia was on the cards.

Iran defeated Kuwait 2-0 in 1998 to lift the Asian Games title for the third time and defended it four years later after beating Japan 2-1.